Sermons on John 11:38-44
The various sermons below interpret John 11:38-44 by focusing on Jesus' transformative power and His willingness to engage with the brokenness in human lives. They collectively emphasize that Jesus is not deterred by the "odor of death," a metaphor for the messiness and perceived hopelessness in our lives. This is illustrated through a relatable analogy of junior high boys and their use of Axe Body Spray, suggesting that Jesus approaches and transforms even those who seem too far gone. Another common theme is the miraculous nature of the resurrection, which serves as a definitive proof of Jesus' divine authority. The sermons also highlight the personal nature of Jesus' call, as seen in His specific command to Lazarus, suggesting that Jesus calls each individual by name to emerge from their metaphorical tombs or caves.
While the sermons share common themes, they also present distinct interpretations and theological emphases. One sermon focuses on the cultural belief that the spirit hovered over the body for three days, emphasizing Jesus' power over death by waiting four days to perform the miracle. This interpretation underscores the miraculous nature of the resurrection as a demonstration of divine authority. Another sermon highlights the theme of belief as a prerequisite to witnessing God's glory, suggesting that faith is essential for experiencing divine intervention. In contrast, another sermon emphasizes transformation and new beginnings, encouraging individuals to leave behind past burdens and embrace a new life. This sermon also underscores the personal and specific nature of Jesus' call, indicating a direct and intimate relationship with each believer.
John 11:38-44 Interpretation:
Transformative Friendship: Embracing Jesus in Our Struggles (Tower Hill Church) interprets John 11:38-44 by emphasizing the metaphor of Jesus confronting the "odor of death" as a representation of how Jesus is not deterred by the messiness or perceived hopelessness in our lives. The sermon uses the analogy of junior high boys and their use of Axe Body Spray to illustrate how Jesus is willing to approach and transform even those who seem too far gone or "smelly" with sin. This interpretation highlights Jesus' willingness to engage with the most broken parts of our lives, suggesting that no one is beyond His transformative power.
Divine Roadblocks: Guiding Us Toward Eternal Life (SHPHC South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church) interprets the passage by focusing on the cultural belief that the spirit hovered over the body for three days, and by waiting four days, Jesus was demonstrating His power over death beyond any doubt. This interpretation emphasizes the miraculous nature of the resurrection as a definitive proof of Jesus' divine authority.
Emerging from Caves: Finding Purpose and Transformation (The FATHER'S House Elk Grove) interprets John 11:38-44 by emphasizing the specificity of Jesus' command when he called Lazarus by name. The sermon suggests that if Jesus had not been specific, all the dead would have risen, highlighting the power and authority of Jesus' words. This interpretation underscores the personal nature of Jesus' call to each individual, suggesting that Jesus calls each person by name to come out of their metaphorical tombs or caves.
John 11:38-44 Theological Themes:
Transformative Friendship: Embracing Jesus in Our Struggles (Tower Hill Church) presents the theme that Jesus' transformative power is not limited by the severity of our sins or the "odor" of our past. The sermon suggests that Jesus' willingness to approach the tomb despite the odor signifies His readiness to engage with and redeem even the most broken aspects of our lives.
Divine Roadblocks: Guiding Us Toward Eternal Life (SHPHC South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church) introduces the theme of belief as a prerequisite to witnessing the glory of God. The sermon emphasizes that faith is essential to experiencing divine intervention and seeing God's glory manifested in our lives.
Emerging from Caves: Finding Purpose and Transformation (The FATHER'S House Elk Grove) presents the theme of transformation and new beginnings. The sermon emphasizes that just as Lazarus was called out of the tomb, individuals are called out of their metaphorical caves to leave behind their past burdens and embrace a new life. The sermon also highlights the idea that Jesus' call is personal and specific, indicating a direct and intimate relationship with each believer.
John 11:38-44 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Divine Roadblocks: Guiding Us Toward Eternal Life (SHPHC South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church) provides insight into Jewish cultural beliefs about death, specifically the idea that the spirit hovered over the body for three days. By waiting four days, Jesus was addressing and overcoming this cultural belief, thereby proving His power over death and reinforcing His divine authority.
Emerging from Caves: Finding Purpose and Transformation (The FATHER'S House Elk Grove) provides historical context by explaining that tombs during biblical times were often caves, which were used for burial. The sermon also mentions the cultural belief that after three days, a body would begin to decompose, making the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection on the fourth day even more significant.
John 11:38-44 Cross-References in the Bible:
Trusting God's Perfect Timing in Our Lives (Harvest Alexandria) references 2 Peter 3:8 to illustrate the concept of God's timing being different from human timing. This passage is used to support the idea that Jesus' delay in coming to Lazarus was purposeful and part of a divine plan to demonstrate a greater miracle.
Divine Roadblocks: Guiding Us Toward Eternal Life (SHPHC South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church) references Romans 6:23 to contrast the wages of sin with the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. This cross-reference is used to emphasize the necessity of belief in Jesus for salvation and to highlight the eternal consequences of rejecting this gift.
Emerging from Caves: Finding Purpose and Transformation (The FATHER'S House Elk Grove) references Matthew 27, which discusses Jesus being placed in a tomb and later resurrecting. This cross-reference is used to draw a parallel between Jesus' resurrection and Lazarus' resurrection, emphasizing that Jesus has the power to call individuals out of their metaphorical tombs just as he did with Lazarus.
John 11:38-44 Christian References outside the Bible:
Divine Roadblocks: Guiding Us Toward Eternal Life (SHPHC South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church) references George Barna's research on evangelical pastors' beliefs, highlighting the concerning trend of pastors not affirming traditional Christian doctrines. This reference is used to underscore the importance of adhering to biblical truth and the dangers of theological compromise.
John 11:38-44 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Transformative Friendship: Embracing Jesus in Our Struggles (Tower Hill Church) uses the illustration of junior high boys and their use of Axe Body Spray to humorously depict how Jesus is not deterred by the "odor" of our sins. This analogy is used to convey the message that Jesus is willing to engage with and transform even those who seem too far gone or "smelly" with sin.
Emerging from Caves: Finding Purpose and Transformation (The FATHER'S House Elk Grove) uses a sports analogy, mentioning a conversation between Lazarus and Jesus about sports, specifically referencing the Kings and their new player, De'Aaron Fox. This analogy is used to illustrate the personal and relatable nature of Jesus' relationship with Lazarus, suggesting that their friendship extended beyond spiritual matters to everyday life.